Passé Composé with Être

Summary

This video lesson focuses on using the auxiliary verb 'être' to express past actions in French, specifically with verbs related to movement, encapsulated by the mnemonic 'Dr. and Mrs. Vandertramp.' It explains the conjugation of 'être' in the present tense and the formation of past participles, emphasizing the importance of gender and number agreement. The instructor provides examples to illustrate these concepts, aiming to clarify how to construct sentences in the past tense. Overall, the lesson serves as a comprehensive guide for learners to master this aspect of French grammar.

Takeaways

• 😀 Auxiliary verbs in French include *avoir* (to have) and *être* (to be).
• 📜 Some verbs specifically use *être* as their auxiliary verb in the past tense.
• 🚪 The acronym **DR & MRS VANDERTRAMP** helps remember the verbs that take *être*.
• 🎬 Example of using *être*: *Je suis allé(e) au cinéma* (I went to the cinema).
• 📚 Past participles are formed differently depending on the verb ending (-ER, -IR, or irregular).
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Gender and number agreement is crucial when using *être* in the past tense.
• ⚙️ For masculine singular subjects, no change is made to the past participle.
• 👩 For feminine singular subjects, an **-e** is added to the past participle.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For plural subjects, an **-s** or **-es** is added for masculine and feminine, respectively.
• ❓ Always encourage students to ask questions if they need clarification on these concepts.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video?

The video discusses how to use the auxiliary verb 'être' in the past tense in French, specifically for verbs associated with movement.

What is the significance of using 'être' instead of 'avoir'?

'Être' is used as the auxiliary verb for a specific set of verbs that describe actions involving movement or change of state, as opposed to the more commonly used 'avoir'.

Can you list some verbs that require 'être' as the auxiliary verb?

Yes, some verbs include: devenir (to become), revenir (to come back), monter (to go up), rester (to stay), sortir (to go out), venir (to come), arriver (to arrive), naître (to be born), descendre (to go down), entrer (to enter), retourner (to return), tomber (to fall), aller (to go), and mourir (to die).

How is the auxiliary verb 'être' conjugated in the present tense?

'Être' is conjugated as follows: je suis, tu es, il/elle/on est, nous sommes, vous êtes, ils/elles sont.

What is the past participle form for regular -er verbs?

For regular -er verbs, you remove the -er and add -é. For example, 'aller' becomes 'allé'.

How do you form the past participle for -ir verbs?

For -ir verbs, you remove the -ir and add -i. For instance, 'finir' becomes 'fini'.

What is the rule for forming past participles of -re verbs?

For -re verbs, you remove the -re and add -u. For example, 'vendre' becomes 'vendu'.

What are the gender and number agreement rules for past participles with 'être'?

The past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject: add -e for feminine singular, add -s for masculine plural, and add -es for feminine plural.

What is a practical way to remember the verbs that take 'être'?

You can use the acronym 'Dr & Mrs Vander', which represents a list of verbs that typically require 'être' as the auxiliary verb.

What additional resources can be helpful for understanding this topic?

Taking screenshots of illustrative examples and practicing conjugation with various verbs can enhance understanding and retention of the material.